Alias. . . not just a TV show but a powerful tool

 

Yes we all wish we were someone else from time to time like Jennifer Garner from the hit TV show Alias.  Jennifer would change her looks and personality to match the dangerous situation she was about the enter.  Although I can’t tell you how become a double agent in a high stakes cat and mouse world, I can show you how having an alias can be useful in your online world.

I’m talking about an alias email address to be more specific an alias within Gmail.  Stop right now if you don’t have a Gmail address and get one.  www.gmail.com

Very powerful “life” email address and its free. 

Why would I need an alias you ask?

Spam control for one, multiple Twitter, Face book, or LinkedIn accounts, or it’s great for a family account.

Here is how it works.

Your traditional Gmail address is.  johndoe@gmail.com

An alias account is johndoe+anothername@gmail.com

For example if you sign up for a Sears account and want to monitor their emails to you can use johndoe+sears@gmail.com when you sign up for the account.

When Sears sends you mail it will send it to johndoe+sears@gmail.com.  From there you can filter and apply rules to handle that mail.  You can also see who is spamming you.

I’ll tell you more about Gmail filters and rules later.

One of my favorite uses is sites like Twitter.  Want to have a Twitter account for “home you” “work you” and any other you.  In order to sign up with Twitter you need a unique email address.  An alias is the way to do this.

 

I hope this blog has broken loose a few brain cells and got you thinking.  I am always open to questions and comments.  Project your thoughts and see where this can take you.  

Here at Pineapple PC we are always trying to help you make technology work for you.  Because we know it’s more about you then the tech.

del.icio.us Tags: pineapple pc,alias,jennifer garner,gmail